According to DRAM Exchange, global memory chip sales volume grew 16 percent in Q4/05 quarter-over-quarter. According to the market watchers, supply in the contract market remained tight with the mainstream DDR2 contract price significantly drove sales higher. However, amid the strong expansion, the DRAM industry risks to create an oversupply situation.

While Samsung with a market share of 25 percent and sales of $2.64 billion could maintain its top position, Hynix outgrew all other vendors. The company managed to raise sales 45 percent against the third quarter, achieving sales of $2.1 billion. Qimonda ranks third, with sales shrinking slightly .5 percent to $1.5 billion. Of all DRAM vendors listed in the ranking, Qimonda was the only one experiencing negative growth. This stands in contrast to the quarterly figures recently published by the company.

In a ranking by country, Korea is the biggest DRAM vendor worldwide with a revenue share of 44.7 percent, up from 41.6 percent in the quarter before. Taiwan is number two with a market share of 17.8 percent, down from 19.5 percent in Q3. Germany - with Qimonda being the only European vendor - ranks number three with a market share of 14.3 percent, down from 16.8 percent. America's market share was stable at 12.1 percent. Japan gained ground, improving its share from 10.1 percent to 11.2 percent.